Farm to School: August 2025 Newsletter

Aug 11

Back to School, Back to Local!

Welcome back!

We are so excited for a new school year and to once again partner with our incredible food service team to bring fresh, local food to the cafeteria. We've been working hard all summer, connecting with local farmers and planning a delicious harvest that highlights the best of what our community has to offer.

August is a fantastic month for produce, and we'll be featuring some of our local favorites, including sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant peppers. Eating local not only tastes great but also supports our community and teaches students where their food comes from. We can't wait for you all to taste the difference. We have a fun-filled year planned with exciting events and educational opportunities, so stay tuned for more!

A-Maize-ing Indiana: We’ve Got Corn!!!

We're kicking off the new school year with a true taste of home: local corn! This month, we're celebrating the golden, delicious bounty of our state with a "Corntastic" focus on this beloved vegetable. We're thrilled to feature local corn in all its glory, fresh from Indiana farms to your cafeteria.

For our schools participating in Indiana Food Day, get ready to make corn the star of the show! We encourage you to plan your menus and activities around this incredible local harvest. And for all our schools and Early Childhood Centers participating in the Harvest of the Month program, it's time to place your orders for this month's featured item. Let's make this back-to-school season a celebration of Indiana's best!

Haven’t registered for Indiana Food Day?

There's still plenty of time to get in on the fun and celebrate this Indiana delight. It's an incredible opportunity to showcase local food and get students excited about healthy eating.

Just click here to REGISTER and access all the amazing ideas and resources you'll need to make your celebration a huge success!

Here are a few fun ideas to get you started:

Taste Tests: Host a taste test of different corn dishes, from classic cornbread to a vibrant corn salad. Let the students vote for their favorite!
Corny Crafts: Get creative with corn! Use dried corn to make mosaics, jewelry, or even decorations for the cafeteria.
Corn Husking Competition: Turn the cafeteria into a competition zone with a good old-fashioned corn husking contest! See who can shuck the fastest and celebrate a piece of Indiana's farming heritage.
Meet a Farmer: See if you can connect with a local corn farmer (or another local producer!) to do a virtual or in-person Q&A with students.
Themed Menu: Create a special menu for the day that highlights corn in a variety of dishes, from lunch to snacks.

Remember, the celebration doesn't have to stop in August! While we enjoy the best of fresh sweet corn right now, you can continue to celebrate this Indiana staple all year long. Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub is preparing to process corn into cobs and cobbettes that you can use throughout the fall months, ensuring a delicious taste of Indiana in your school meals well beyond the summer harvest. By preserving and using corn in different ways, you can keep the spirit of Indiana Food Day going all year!

Peaches are in Season

August is here, and so are the peaches! Mark your calendars for a sweet, stone fruit sensation coming to a school near you. This month, we're thrilled to feature juicy peaches from Garwood Orchards in LaPorte, Indiana, and Mick Klug Farm in St. Joseph, Michigan.

And don't forget to keep an eye out for our star of the show: delightful donut peaches! With their sweet flavor and easy-to-hold, flat shape, they are absolutely perfect for students. These unique peaches are only available for a short time, so get ready to enjoy this incredible, seasonal treat while it lasts!

Region Roots has a new delivery schedule!

Ordering & Delivery Schedule:

To ensure you receive the freshest products, please follow our ordering schedule:

Order by Monday at 5 p.m. to receive your delivery on Thursday of the same week.
Order by Thursday at 5 p.m. to receive your delivery on Tuesday of the following week.

How to Use the Schedule:

This flexible schedule is designed to fit your kitchen's needs.

For schools that prefer to receive deliveries the week before they serve the items, place your order by Monday at 5 p.m. Your delivery will arrive on Thursday, giving your staff plenty of time for preparation.
For schools that prefer to receive deliveries the same week they serve the items, place your order by Thursday at 5 p.m. Your delivery will arrive on Tuesday of the following week, ensuring the produce is as fresh as possible for your menu.

Please reach out to our Wholesale Partnerships Coordinator with any questions:

Ashley Barry, ashley@nwifoodcouncil.org

FEATURED RECIPES

**Peach Cobbler**

Peach cobbler is the perfect southern dessert full of delicious, juicy peaches! With hints of cinnamon and nutmeg this cobbler is a tasty treat.
**Components:** Fruit
**Source:** Healthy School Recipes
**Servings:** 50
**Crediting:** 1 piece provides ½ a cup of fruit

**Onion and Peach Salsa**

This sweet and zesty salsa has fresh flavors of peaches, onion, cilantro and lime, with a little bit of jalapeno too! Serve with tortilla chips, or as a compliment to tacos, salad or grilled chicken. Give it a try!
**Components:** Fruit
**Source:** Healthy School Recipes
**Servings:** 75
**Crediting:** ⅛ cup of fruit

**Black Bean Corn Salsa**

This black bean and corn salsa recipe comes together in a snap! Every ingredient adds unique flavor and texture - the perfect combination!
**Components:** Vegetable
**Source:** Healthy School Recipes
**Servings:** 55
**Crediting:** 1 serving provides ¼ cup of vegetables

Early Childhood Education

We are thrilled to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all of our new Early Childhood Education centers! It is a true privilege to partner with you as you embark on a rewarding journey into the world of Farm to School. This is a monumental step for Early Childhood Education, and we are so excited to be a part of it.

This year marks a special milestone as Indiana officially launches the Harvest of the Month Pilot Program for Early Childhood Education centers and K-12 Schools. This program, proudly supported by Indiana Grown for Schools Network, is designed to introduce our youngest learners to the vibrant world of local agriculture, one delicious ingredient at a time. Through this initiative, we are not just serving food; we are planting seeds of curiosity and a lifelong appreciation for fresh, local foods and the farmers who grow them.

The Indiana Grown for Schools team and the Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub Team have been working diligently to ensure a seamless and successful start to the Farm to School experience. Over the past few weeks, the Region Roots team has been focused on a comprehensive onboarding process, helping each Center get acquainted with our systems, particularly our innovative ordering platform, Region Roots. We understand that learning new systems can be a challenge, but your enthusiasm and dedication have made this process both smooth and enjoyable. We've loved seeing your excitement as you've explored the amazing variety of local products available to you.

Region Roots is more than just an ordering hub; it's a gateway to connecting students and children with Indiana's agricultural bounty. Through this platform, you'll be able to easily access a rotating selection of seasonal, local foods for meals, taste tests, and educational activities.

We believe that building a strong connection to food from an early age is a powerful way to foster healthy eating habits and a deeper understanding of our community. Thank you for the commitment to this mission. We are confident that students and children will not only love the delicious new foods but will also gain a greater appreciation for where their food comes from. We look forward to a fantastic and flavorful year ahead with you all!

Welcome Farmers Market Coordinator!

We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer, our new Registered Dietitian, to the team! Jennifer is a passionate advocate for a holistic and inclusive approach to food and wellness. She firmly believes that our cultural backgrounds, personal histories, and lived experiences should be celebrated at the table, not restricted. With a strong background in non-diet and weight-inclusive nutrition counseling, Jennifer has dedicated her career to helping individuals build a positive relationship with food and their bodies. She supports clients in challenging societal pressures and reconnecting with their own definition of health and well-being. Jennifer is deeply committed to community work and advancing food accessibility for all. She understands that health looks different for everyone, and she is dedicated to honoring each person's unique journey. Her expertise and compassionate philosophy will be a huge asset to our team and the community we serve.

Join us in giving a warm welcome to Jennifer!

Grant Funding

The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub funds community driven collaborations that reimagine school meals.

Applications for the 2025 Spark and Innovation Collaboration Awards are expected to open in late 2025. We will provide updates as soon as possible. Additional grant cycles will continue through 2028.